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Citronellol

Depends on youFragrancefragrancemaskingEU-declared fragrance allergen

Genuinely relevant for some people, or depends on dose and pH.

Also written as: 3,7-Dimethyl-6-octen-1-ol · Rhodinol · Cephrol

What it is

Citronellol is a fresh, rosy terpene alcohol found in rose, geranium and citronella oils, and also made synthetically. It is one of the six components of the fragrance mix II patch-test panel and appears on a large number of cosmetic labels either as an added aroma chemical or as a natural constituent of a floral essential oil.

What it does well

  • Widely used rose note that works at very low levels

    It is a standard perfumery material, valued for a clean floral character. This is a scent benefit rather than a skincare one.

    Strong evidence

Worth knowing

  • A recognised contact allergen, particularly when oxidised

    Positive patch tests to citronellol are less frequent than to linalool or limonene but are consistently recorded in European surveillance data, and like other terpene alcohols it forms more sensitising hydroperoxides on air exposure.

    Matters most toPeople with eczema or a diagnosed fragrance allergy.

Where the EU stands

Labelling required

One of the original 26 declared fragrance allergens. Must be named on the pack above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products. No maximum concentration is set.

Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex III entry 86 · source ↗

Masks that contain Citronellol